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Afton Walsh has built an 18-year career centered on community-oriented construction and advancing diversity in the industry.

Walsh鈥檚 construction background spans education, affordable housing and community serving spaces. She has led some of Walsh鈥檚 most significant projects, including Bridge Meadows, Mercy Corps International Headquarters, Meyer Memorial Trust and Northwest Housing Alternatives鈥� campus headquarters. Her project management approach emphasizes collaboration, communication and teamwork on mixed-use, sustainably built projects.

As director of community outreach, Walsh leads the company鈥檚 efforts in contracting with and mentoring COBID and Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business firms. Involved in nearly every affordable housing project at Walsh, she oversees initiatives that meet or exceed equity goals in subcontracting and workforce, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening the local economy. She has served as a mentor to minority firms and expanded Walsh鈥檚 reach in the minority contracting community.

Walsh is a founding member of O鈥橬eill/Walsh Community Builders, a partnership formed in 2011 between O鈥橬eill Construction Group, an MBE/DBE certified and veteran-owned firm, and Walsh, an employee-owned company with 65 employee owners. The joint venture builds on both companies鈥� strengths, facilitates opportunities for Walsh to connect with diverse firms and provides O鈥橬eill exposure to processes for success on larger projects.

Currently, Walsh is mentoring Brenda Castillo, owner of JC Pro Builders, as she grows her business. Castillo has worked on six Walsh projects to date and is scheduled for three more in coming months.

Walsh spearheaded and co-chaired Walsh Construction Co.鈥檚 first annual Women Who Build luncheon in honor of Women in Construction Week. The event celebrated contributions of women throughout the architecture, engineering and construction industry, drawing 62 attendees.

Throughout the year, Walsh participates in panel discussions and events focused on affordable housing and equity in contracting.

She serves on the boards of Portland Community College Foundation, Ecotrust and Women鈥檚 Affordable Housing Network Pacific Northwest. She works with Portland Business Development Group, National Association of Minority Contractors Oregon chapter, Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and other organizations to dismantle barriers in the industry and promote economic development of minorities in Oregon.

鈥淪he has become a leader within Walsh and OWCB, and is driven to constantly learn (and subsequently share) more about how we can do better in all aspects of our business,鈥� wrote Glenna Herbert, Walsh Construction marketing coordinator, in the Icon nomination form.

Walsh holds a degree in applied economics and management from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Washington.